That's a raise of 361% for a 1-11 season on a last place team . . . in case you're scoring along with us at home . . .

DAVE: The players ALWAYS get raises. And pretty generous ones at that. Regardless of performance.

Pirates pitcher wins salary arbitration hearing
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pirates pitcher Ross Ohlendorf won his salary arbitration hearing today and will be paid $2,025,000 this coming season.

The Pirates had argued that his salary should be $1.4 million.

The case went to arbitration after the Pirates and Ohlendorf, 28, could not agree to terms. He earned $439,000 last season.

Ohlendorf had a 1-11 record with a 4.07 ERA in 108 1/2 innings last season. He was on the disabled list twice, once with a back injury and then with muscle strain in his right shoulder.

Pitchers and catchers report for spring training in Bradenton on Sunday.

JIM: The real issue is: why would the Pirates even offer him arbitration?????

DAVE: Because his is a cornerstone of the Pirates' five-man rotation of fifth starters.

JIM: Dude...

DAVE: It's true. You can look it up.